Board game apparatus with path forming pieces



June 23, 1970 G, ESTRIN 3,516,671

BOARD GAME APPARATUS WITH PATH FORMING PIECES v Filed June 15. 1967 4 sheets-sheet 2 @@XXXXXXXXO@ @@XXXXXXXXO@ @XXXXXXXXOQ WOXXXXXXXXW .@OXXXXXXXX@ @OXXXXXXXXW @OXXXXXXXXW @OXXXXXXXXOQ FIG. 3

; INVENTOR.

BY GERALD EST-RIN MQ di NEYS June 23, 1970 G. Es'rRlN I 3,516,671

BOARD GAME APPARATUS WITH PATH FORMING PECES` 4 sheet-sneet s Filed June 15, 1967 INVENTOR.

FIG. 4

GEEL/ALDv ESTRIN Mb@ *14M ATTORNEYS BOARD GAME APPARATUS WITH PATH FORMING PIECES Filed June 15, 1967 G. ESTRIN June 23, 1970v .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

1N VENTOR.

GERALD 4ESTRIN ATTORNEYS 3,516,671 Patented June 23, 1970 United States Patent )fflce 3,516,671 BOARD GAME APPARATUS WITH PATH FORMING PIECES Gerald Estrin, 500 Warner Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 Filed June 15, 1967, Ser. No. 646,322 Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 U.S. Cl. 273-130 9 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A board type game to be played by two or more players. The game apparatus includes a plurality of lactual or symbolic energy deiiecting pieces which can be selecf tively positioned at any intersection of a matrix of rows and columns. Each piece can be retained in either a rst or second orientation so that it diverts energy incident thereon from a column (or row) to the intersecting row (or column) in one or both directions. Energy sources (c g., a light source or electric current source) can be positioned to the direct energy along selected columns to the deflecting pieces. The primary idea is for the players to alternately position pieces in the matrix with each attempting to complete an energy path to the other Side ofthe matrix prior to the other player doing so. LIn one embodiment, the energy source comprises a. battery for driving an electric current along an established energy path. In this embodiment, the deflecting piece can com-I prise a copper clad insulating member receivable between normally closed contacts to vbreak electrical vcontinuity along a row or column and establish `a path with the intersecting column or row. The pieces maybe pro.- vided with letters so that the players may attempt to form a word along the completed path. l Y

This invention relates generallyl to board type` games. and more particularly to a game apparatus which provides for the selective positioning of energyY -deecting means by a player in an attempt to establish anfenergy path between a source and a goal. f- I More particularly, the invention is-concerned with th provision of a new and useful game. Various games are of course known in the prior art which provide many hours of relaxing educationalentertainment vfor the multitude of persons who use them. Most often these games employ playing boards having indicia printed thereon andvarious pieces which are moved in accordance with started rules. The kinds of moves used in board games for more than 4,000 years are summarized in a'scholarly workv by H. J. R. Murray, entitled A History ofBoard Games. The present invention is directed to an implef mentation a game based onrules and moves not hereto; foreknown. Various games are of 'course known which deflect moving bodies byvusing appliedforces to alter their velocities in different manners. The present ,invenr tion is directed to an implementation of a gamefyvhich uses means to deflect various forms of energy coming from a source in order to establish a path from the source to a goal.

SUMMARY 'oF THE nsrvENTIoist present invention includes a matrix of, retaining devices, each capable of .retaining an actual or symbolic deflecting piece in either a first or second orientation. The matrix' is comprised of rows and columns and an energy source, either actualor symbolic, can be selectively positioned' ergy is incident on a deflecting piece, it is deflected to an intersecting row. Some of the pieces can deflect the energy in both directions along the row while others will deect the energy in only one direction which will be determined by the orientation of the deflection piece.

In a rst embodiment of the invention, the energy source can provide a narrow light beam and the deflecting pieces can-comprise small mirrors.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy source provides an electrical current and each deecting piece can comprise a copper clad insulating member which, in being received in a retaining device, opens normally closed switches to break electrical continuity along a row or column and also establishes a path between Said row or column and the associated column or row.

In the simplest form of the invention, the energy source and energy deilecting pieces can be strictly symbolic. More complex implementations of the invention can employ other energy forms, such as fluid flow.

In the use of the apparatus of the invention, the basic idea is for the players to alternately position deecting pieces in an attempt to establish a path from one side of the matrix to the other while simultaneously attempting to prevent an opponent from establishing such a path. Scoring can take into consideration various factors such as path length, number of deecting pieces used, etc. In

energy are deflected by material objects;

(2) Learning to detect complex paths and deflect energy flow in a favorable way; and

(3) Learning to form words from letters printed on the deecting pieces.

DRAWINGS illustrating a typical completed energy path;

to direct energy along a selected column.Y Where the en- .I

Y 65, Briefly, the game apparatus 1n accordancerwlth the FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of playing board in accordance with the invention'andr FIG. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the playing board; n FIG. 4 is a schematic electrical diagram illustrating a circuit arrangement suitable for use in conjunction With the board of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one type of deecting piece to ibe utilized with the electrical embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4; l

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further type of deecting piece to be utilized with the embodiment of FIGS. 3'and 4; and

FIG. 7'schematically illustrates various path interconnections which can be effected by utilizingthe deecting piece of FIG. 6 with the circuit arrangement of FIG; 4.

DESCRIPTION oF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Attention is now called to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates an embodiment of the'invention. The inven` tionl employs a matrix 10 of piece retaining devices 12 each of which is able to retain a piece 14 in either a lirst or second orientation as shown. Although the size of the matrix is not critical, it will be assumed throughout that the matrix is comprised of eight rows and eight columns, thus providing 64 intersections. A piece retaining device 12 formed of crossed slots is located at each matrix intersection.

Thus, eight positions are provided along each side of the matrix. The matrix sides will be respectively referred to as north, east, south, and west. The positions on the north side will be respectively referred to as N1, N2, N3, N3. Similarly, the positions on the east side will be referred to as El-Es, the positions on the south side as S1-S3, and the positions on the west side as Wl-W.

For purposes of explanation, the embodiment of the invention schematically shown in FIG. 1 will be considered as being used -by only a north player and an east player. It is however pointed out that the game can be simultaneously utilized by as many as four players. For simplicity in understanding, it will also be assumed that the embodiment of FIG. 1 employs light sources 16. Thus, FIG. l illustrates the north player as having two light sources 16 positioned respectively at positions N3 and N6. Similarly, the east player has light sources correspondingly positioned at positions E3 and E6. It is contemplated however that the light sources be movable so that a player can select any of his positions at which to locate the sources. It will be assumed however that the sources will be positioned at the third and sixth positions for initiating play.

In addition to the foregoing, a symbolic goal or an indicator window 18 is disposed at each position. Broadly, the idea of the game is for each player to establish an energy path from one of his sources to a goal along the opposite side. Thus, for example, the object of the north player is to provide an energy path from the north side of the matrix to the south side. Simultaneously, it is his object to block the east player from establishing an energy path to the west side.

Energy paths are established and blocked by the selective positioning of the deflecting pieces 14 within the piece retaining means of the matrix. FIG. l illustrates the positioning and orientation of four deflecting pieces 14 at the start of a game. Thereafter, the players alternately position additional deflecting pieces in the matrix in an attempt to establish a desired energy transfer path While blocking the opponent from establishing such a path. It will of course be appreciated that a deflecting piece can be oriented in either of two manners at each matrix position. The two orientations are orthogonal to one another and at a 45 angle with respect to the rows and columns. In a light source embodiment as assumed in FIG. 1, the deecting pieces can comprise small flat disks mirrored on both front and rear surfaces. Thus, light provided by source 16 at position N3 for example will be deflected by deflecting member 14A to position W3.

FIG. 2 illustrates typical complex paths formed by players after the game has progressed from the starting configuration shown in FIG. 1. Note, for example, that path 20 is completed from source 22 at position E7 to goal 18 at position W4. In order to better appreciate how the schematically illustrated apparatus of FIG. 1 is utilized by the players to develop the energy transfer paths of FIG. 2, the suggested rules of the game will now be discussed.

Briefly, it will be recalled that the object of the game for any participant is to establish an energy path from his side of the matrix to the opposite side of the matrix prior to his opponent establishing such a path. An important aspect of the rules is that neither player can effectively complete a path until the other player has had a chance to subsequently move. That is, if one player completes a path by the positioning of a deecting piece, the other player has one more move in which to block that path.

The rules dene the allocation of the deflecting pieces among the participants and a deecting piece pool, the order of play, the allowable moves, and the end of the game. The rules for scoring give weight to the sub-objectives of the game, thereby affecting the strategy and tactics of the participants. From two to four players may simultaneously use the game apparatus. When each player makes an allowable move as set forth hereinafter, he seeks to enhance the prospect of the establishment of a high score path from his source to a target or load on the opposite side and if possible at the same time to impede the establishment of such a path from any opponents source to the opponents opposite side.

In order to initiate the game, two sources are given to each player and placed in positions 3 and 6 on his side of the board as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, four deecting members are positioned on the board as shown in FIG. l in order to assure that no winning path is established at the start.

The players choose for the chance to initiate play by any appropriate means. Thereafter, play rotates clockwise and when a number of games are played, initial play rotates clockwise also. A player, during his turn, may make any one of the following moves:

l) He may move either one of his two sources to any unoccupied source position on his side; or

(2) He may place a deecting piece at any unoccupied position in the matrix in either of the two orientations; or

(3) He may switch the orientation of a deflecting member already in a position on the matrix if it has not been switched during the move immediately preceding his; or

(4) If the energy from his source can reach a deecting piece which can also be reached by an opponent source, he may remove that deflecting piece and place it in another empty position on the matrix; or

(5) He may demonstrate that the game is ended because he has a path from his source to the opposite side of the matrix which his opponent has not blocked.

A preferred form of scoring is to give the Winning player a score equal to the number of deecting pieces encountered by his energy beam as it traverses the matrix.

- An overall objective of 50 points would assure a number of alternations of initial play.

A contemplated variation of the game is to provide letters on the deflecting pieces with a sub-objective of the game being to construct words along the energy path. Numerical values can be associated with each letter so that bonus points can be acquired by constructing more ditlicult Words. Midgame scoring `can be introduced by recording numerical values of words newly constructed along each players path at each play.

Although it has been found that the afore set forth rules define a very entertaining and educational game, it is certainly recognized that many rule variations can be readily introduced without departing from the essential concept of the invention lwhich is to position and orient deecting members to establish energy paths. Additionally, it is pointed out that the concept of the invention is applicable to the utilization of various types of energy sources. Thus, the embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 employs narrow beam light sources. However, as will be shown in FIGS. 3-7, the game apparatus can also utilize electrical energy sources. Other implementations can also be employed. For example, the game can be played by utilizing a means which merely stimulates an energy source and energy deflecting means. That is, without actual energy transfer, the energy paths will still be apparent to the players. In another alternative embodiment, fluid sources and deecting pieces can be employed. l

Attention is now called to FIG. 3 which illustrates a plan view of an electrical embodiment of the invention and to FIG. 3A which details one of the retaining means of FIG. 3. The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a rectangular playing board 30 defining the north, east, south, and west sides previously referred to with reference to FIG. 1. As will be better appreciated hereinafter in connection with the discussion of FIG. 4, the playing board 30 is provided with a receptacle 32 adapted to receive a connecting pin (not shown) for bridging a pair of normally open contacts at each position along each of the playing sides. Additionally, a goal or load in the form of a light element 34 is provided at each position of a playing side. As will be seen, the selected disposition of a connecting pin in a receptacle 32 defines the position of a players source. A plurality of defiecting piece retaining means are disposed on the board 30 as shown in FIG. 3. Each such retaining means 36 is defined by crossed slots 38 and 40 defined in the surface 30 as shown in FIG. 3A. The retaining means 36 are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns as was discussed with reference to the schematic embodiment of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, a pair of normally closed contacts 42 are provided at each end of the slots 38 and 40. As will be discussed hereinafter, when a deecting piece is inserted into a slot 38 or a slot 40, the normally closed contact pairs 42 therein are opened. In addition to the foregoing, a switch actuator 36 is disposed on each side of the board 30.

In order to better appreciate the electrical circuitry utilized in conjunction with FIG. 3, attention is now called to FIG. 4. yEach row and each column of the matrix defines a continuous path with the continuity therethrough being established through normally closed spring contacts. For example, note the electrical path defined between position W1 and position E1. The electrical path from position W1 to position E1 traverses 16 pairs of normally closed contacts. That is, at `each column or north/ south position, a first pair of contacts 50 and a second pair of contacts 52 are provided. Similarly, the conductive path along each north/ south column traverses 16 pairs of contacts. Thus, from the position N1, normally closed contact pairs 54 and 56 are traversed in column 1.

External to the matrix of piece retaining devices and normally closed switch contacts, the normally open contact pairs 32 and light loads (e.g., LE1) 34 are provided. A source of electrical energy such as a battery 60 is provided. Two sets of switches 61 and 62 are also provided with each switch set including thirty-two different switches. The first or positive terminal of source 60 is connected to switches 61 on the North and East sides and to switches 62 on the South and West sides, each switch 61 being connected to one contact of a normally open contact pair 32. The second contact of each pair 32 is connected to a different row or column conductor. In order to understand the circuit paths through the matrix of FIG. 4, assume, for example, that a connector pin or jumper wire has been placed so as to bridge the contacts 32 at position E4. Now, also assume a complete path of some configuration has been established through the normally closed contact switches, e.g., switches 50, to the corresponding west position W4. A conductor at each west position is connected to one side of a light load (e.g., LW4) 34 whose second side is connected through the switch 62 at LW4 back to the second or negative side of the battery 60. The sets of switches 61 and 62 along each side of the board are ganged and are responsive to the switch actuator 35 on that board side. In the use of the game apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4, the game is usually played with ganged switches 61 and 62 open so that the battery is unconnected. When it is thought that a path has been established, actuator 35 is depressed to thus connect the battery 60. In the exemplary complete path shown in FIG. 4, from the position E4 current will flow as depicted by the'arrows from the positive terminal of battery 60, through a switch 61, through the bridged contacts 32, through a path defined by the configuration of the deflecting pieces, through light load LW4, and then to the negative terminal of battery 60 through a switch 62.

A typical defiecting member for electrical embodiments of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. The deflecting member 64 of FIG. 5 functionally corresponds to the mirror 14 shown in FIG. l. The deflecting member 64 comprises a rectangular insulator 66 having conductive material (e.g., copper) disposed on opposite sides thereof at 68 and 70. When the deflecting piece 64 is inserted into a piece retaining device 36, as for example between contact pairs 52 and 54 of FIG. 4, it acts to steer energy from a row to a column or vice versa and to break the continuity of the original row and column. More particularly, by inserting the piece 64 between the contact pairs S2 and 54, the complete paths along the east/'west row 1 and the north/ south column 1 are interrupted. Instead, a complete path is defined through the conductive material 68 and 70 on the piece -64 from position E1 to position S1 and from position N1 to position W1. Thus, the piece 64 is a direct analog to the mirror 14 of FIG. 1. It should therefore be appreciated that proper placement of the'defiecting members 64 will enable electrical paths to be defined from the battery 60 and through a connecting pin or jumper wire closing a selected contact pair 32 through a matrix path to illuminate a light load 34 on the opposite matrix side.

In order to add even more interest to the game, an additional deflecting piece 72 shown in FIG. 6 can be utilized. The deflecting piece 72 of FIG. 6 is the electrical analog of a beam splitter and functions to interconnect a column position, e.g., N1, with positions along both ends of a row, e.g., E1 Vand W1. More particularly, whereas defiecting piece 64 of FIG. 5 merely connected position E1 to position S1 and position N1 to position W1, the deflecting piece 72 can connect position S1 lwith positions E1 and W1. The deflecting piece 72 is comprised of an insulative -member 714 having a conductive surface 76 along one side thereof which 4Wraps around the edge of the member 74 and extends halfway along the opposite side at 78. When the piece 72 is inserted between normally closed contact pairs 52 and 54, it connects position S1 with positions E1 and W1 as shown in FIG. 7(a). FIG. 7(b) illustrates how the piece 72 can be oriented to connect position S1 with positions W1 and N1, for example. The piece 72 oriented as shown in FIG. 7(0) also connects position S1 with positions W1 and N1. Oriented as shown in FIG. 7 (d), the piece 72 connects position N1 with positions W1 and 1E1.

In a variation of the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6, the delecting piece is marked with a letter so that scoring points can be given to a player for constructing a word along an established path.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a game apparatus has been disclosed herein which can provide educational and relaxing entertainment for participants. Although a specific embodiment has been disclosed herein, it is readily recognized that various embodiments -not specifically disclosed herein will occur to those skilled in the art for implementing the basic concept of providing means for actually establishing or simulating energy transfer paths from a source to a load.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus including:

a plurality of substantially identically shaped pieces each including a flat energy deliecting portion;

a plurality of piece retaining means arranged in a rectangular matrix of rows and columns, each piece retaining means capable of retaining one of said pieces in either of first and second orthogonallyoriented positions with said flat portion oriented at a substantially 45 angle with respect to said rows and columns;

an energy source means for directing energy of the form deectable by said pieces along a substantially straight line; and

means whereby a user of the apparatus may determine the presence of said directed energy at a side of the matrix.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said pieces retained at the intersection of a row and column includes means for directing said energy in both directions along the intersecting column or row.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said pieces retained at the intersection of a row and column includes means for directing said energy in only one direction along the intersecting column or row.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 rwherein each of said plurality of piece retaining means is defined by a different pair of intersecting slots in a flat board.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said source means comprises a source of electrical energy.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including conductor means adapted to be coupled to said source of electrical energy for conducting electrical energy along one of said rows and columns.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 including normally closed switch contacts at each of said intersections for maintaining continuity through said conductor means along said rows and columns, said switch contacts being positioned relative to said piece retaining means whereby reception of a piece therein opens contacts to break said continuity along a row or column and electrically-connects contacts to establish a conductive path to the intersecting column or row.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 `wherein said Source means comprises a source of light energy; and wherein each of said piece at portions comprises a light reflecting surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said pieces has identifying indicia thereon.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,690 1/1917 Quinones. 1,342,884 6/1920 Anderson 273--130 3,024,026 3/1962 Goetz 273-130 DELB'ERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 273--137 

